Interesting that there are no maneuver decks, just the rules and the playing aids. Not sure it is a great marketing move for the long term, but I'm sure a lot of people already in the game will pick it up (I'm sure I will).

I think it's mostly aimed at us old pilots. It gives us one complete rule book (yay!) and finally a single source for all four damage decks (double yay!)

Personally, I'm not sure I'll pick it up though. The single rule book (and just buying everything they put out) is tempting, I've already got 4 or 5 of each damage deck and I sure don't need any more counters. This will be a tough one for me

The announcement of the "Series 5" release date is nice to finally have posted publicly.

Although, having to buy 3 of the 4 bombers plus 6 new scouts (and extras for repaints and hording ) might be a bit painful on the old wallet!

Also got this from Ares this morning, after asking about manoeuvre decks:

"We are considering to make separate manoeuvre decks available through our spare parts/replacement parts service. We'll definitely do so when the first Airplane packs which were never released in the Wings of War are published.

- Nice to see new product
- No planes (card or mini)?
- Good to see all the rules in one manual, ditto with damage decks
- I already have all this stuff, except for the rules...
- Why would a new player get this when there are no planes?

I can see two reasons Ares is releasing this.
1) Even though they are continuing the Wings of War line, they have changed the name to make it their own and need entry level product out there with that name on it. They can't expect new players to know that Wings of Glory is a continuation of Wings of War. Especially when it is under a new company.

2) Why this and not a starter with planes? As someone already pointed out they most likely don't have the best planes for a starter yet. I think the reason for starting with new stuff that we(Wings of War fans) haven't seen yet is to try and hold on to as many of us as they can while they make this transition. Some already complain that Ares is not releasing stuff fast enough. Just imagine if they decided to go for all new entry level product and planes (stuff we already have) first. When you take into account my first point, I'm sure they had some difficult decisions to make.

I think they are trying their best to keep current players happy and to bring in new players. This rules and accessories pack is aimed at new players that will see the new minis on shelves and online and wonder what they need to play the game.

saw this on their Facebook account this morning.. personally if they came out with series 1 planes.. I'd be very happy.. I have a half dozen Dr1 repaints to do so I could use the planes.. and I don't really care much for the shapeways quality so not buying those yet..

I, like many, am anxious for the planes to be available soon.. not overly thrilled with the ones they are coming out with first.. personally I feel they should come out with the 'meat and potatoes' of the game.. the Dr1 and Camel.. many new players may not see the value of these early planes like some of the history buffs and historical types.. they want the Red Baron and Roy Brown duel to recreate.. I hope this game sticks around for a long time.. but as it sits now, I'm just a fan that repaints some of their planes to meet my personal desires..
just my 2 cents...

I think the very fact that they inherited a lot of the problems that they are obviously trying to iron out, says a lot for the firm. instead of just giving us more of the same, it appears that as Charles says, they are trying to make a silk purse. As we know from the myriad of differing desires made obvious by the members on this site, givcing everyone what they want is like trying to juggle a bar of soap in the bath. Let us all just be happy that things are moving forward, and that we are going to get the planes eventually. This time last year people were moaning because it looked like we would never see another plane. Now we have WoG to look forward to.
Rob.

"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

The first WW1 Wings of Glory Airplane Packs are planned to be available at the same time as the Rules and Accessories Pack, and will feature the models Fokker E.III, Halberstadt D.III, Morane-Saulnier and Airco D.H.2.

This says they will be releasing a/c at the same time as the pack but separately. Interesting choice of planes, early war but the halberstadt D III seems out of place?

Cover design...needs work, not as "gritty" as some previous images and I agree a little too "cartoony"

So it looks like they are releasing what we know as Series 5 first. huzzah for me, but I can see how new guys will say "whats a Halberstadt ?"
Really like the idea of obtainable manouvre decks, I can see a big seller there, I got lots of aircraft needing official decks so good news coming it seems

Also got this from Ares this morning, after asking about manoeuvre decks:

"We are considering to make separate manoeuvre decks available through our spare parts/replacement parts service. We'll definitely do so when the first Airplane packs which were never released in the Wings of War are published.["]

The Rules and Accessories Pack will be released in April, just after the arrival of the Bombers Special Packs (Caproni Ca.3 and Gotha G.V). The first WW1 Wings of Glory Airplane Packs are planned to be available at the same time as the Rules and Accessories Pack, and will feature the models Fokker E.III, Halberstadt D.III, Morane-Saulnier and Airco D.H.2.

"We are considering to make separate manoeuvre decks available through our spare parts/replacement parts service. We'll definitely do so when the first Airplane packs which were never released in the Wings of War are published.

Thanks and best regards,

Roberto"

So I am reading that as the maneuver decks from "Series 5" will be available via the parts department. I wonder how they will compare price wise to buying them via the old booster pack way???

Oh, and I hope they print enough of them as "extras" for the parts department! lol

Originally Posted by David Manley

Whether by accident or design it looks good for players with collections of non-Nexus / Ares models. All you need is there bar the manoeuvre decks and stands, which you can get here.

Don't like the cover illustration. there's something a bit "cartooney" about it compared with the earlier WoW illustrations and some of the perspective looks a bit off.

I think the slight cartoon-ish look is a good thing. It will be very eye catching one the store shelve and hopefully it will stand out to get peoples attention. I don't think it's so cartoony that it will put anyone off the game.

As for Brown smoking and not the Red Baron, I'm sure that is a marketing ploy. Very few people out side of enthusiast know who "shot him down", but the know the Red Baron by sight and know that "he was the best"... which this cover art shows.

Oh, and I hope they print enough of them as "extras" for the parts department! lol

Well, I'm in for at least 5 'L' decks for my D.VIIs alone, let alone everything else I've painted/repainted. With everbody else piling in, their parts department is going to be working overtime as soon as they announce it is open for business

As for parts, I wonder if that also means we can order a dozen Lewis guns from the SE5a or Nieuport?

I'm not sure if this will carry over to the "parts department" or not, but my talks with insiders at Ares has mentioned they will be make "left over" or "etra" parts from the WWII minis released here soon available via their E Store. So, I do not know if they are going to have a full blown replacement supply, or just the ext4ras until they run out.

Were I Ares, I would concentrate on flooding the market with both old and new maneuver decks to cover every available plane. They would be able to generate some money right away, as opposed to having to wait around for painted planes coming from China. That's assuming the turnaround time on a deck of cards is pretty fast when compared to a boxed plane with cards, which I believe to be a safe assumption.

At this point, given the number of Shapeways planes that are available, completely new maneuver decks are what I'd like most of all. Ymmv.

The 'spare parts/replacement parts service' sounds good. Maybe we will be able to buy spare bases and altitude pegs.

Which maneuver decks will the series 5 planes have, I wonder; the same as now or as revised by the committee.

They will be the same as the old decks... otherwise they would not be compatible which is a major thing for them... and I totally agree.

Originally Posted by Canuck

Any idea what this goodie box might contain?

Per the link in the first post, everything that came in all of the bases plue expansion boxes under Wings of War... minus any planes (cards or minis) and maneuver decks. So, counters, rulers, all 4 damage decks, and flight control boards and finally one rule but to rule them all!

As for Brown smoking and not the Red Baron, I'm sure that is a marketing ploy. Very few people out side of enthusiast know who "shot him down", but the know the Red Baron by sight and know that "he was the best"... which this cover art shows.

Well, anyone who has seen the Red Baron movie just KNOWS that Manfred actually shot down Roy twice.

Once as a pilot of an R.E.8 and then once in this very Camel (he crash-landed nearby with his red Albatros and had a chat and a drink with Roy, who told him to make a pass on that nurse who had treated Roy after the first time he had been shot down by Manfred, before Roy decided to escape from the prison camp). Then Roy shot him down and killed him and returned Manfred's white scarf to the very same sexy nurse who crossed the lines to see his grave.

I think they are trying their best to keep current players happy and to bring in new players. This rules and accessories pack is aimed at new players that will see the new minis on shelves and online and wonder what they need to play the game.

I full agree with you Charles. In Zoe's statment about CANCON a lot of people where asking where they could get the rules.Up in Brisbane at my club I have had the same question. The store has planes (admitidly only a few) but no rules. This box set is a very good idea and especially if they are bring WW1 Series 5 out at the same time

So the contents of this Rules and Accessories Pack are identical to the new WWI Starter Set but just without the models?

No, the Starter Set that I'm sure we will get at some point will have the planes and maneuver decks along with the game components. Based on the WWII version that is coming out first, I do not think it will have all four Damage Deck types. So, they should be slightly different in content. The link in the first post will list everything in this new Rules set.

I'm going to pass on buying it but, it is a great buy for new players. I introduced 6 new players to the game at the Williamsburg Muster. 3 of them went and bought an older starter set. I taught an old friend how to play the game the next day he gave my a balloon buster box. I never expected that. Like I always say WOG is a great game and a great way to meet new friends. Thanks for designing such a fun game and Col. thanks for the great website.